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EARLY YEARS
Sikhism has been in Baba Ji's family in Amritsar from the time of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Baba Ji's ancestors had instruction from Guru Ji to always have a separate room dedicated to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and this tradition they carry on to this day.
Education : Baba Ji started their education at Ibrahiemwal junior school and went on to a private school in Patiala where they would complete two year classes in one year. They passed the Vag-Giani, Bhuddi Giani and Giani exams. Baba Ji went on to higher education and took classes in sangeet and tabla.
During Baba Ji's lifetime they have studied deeply Guru Granth Sahib Ji including Larri-dhar saroop, Dasam Granth Sahib Ji, and the following :
Bhai Gurdas Vars
Kabits and Swayais
Sarab Loh Granth
Sarabh Dharam education
Suraj Parkash
Panth Patkash
Katha Sagar
Mahan Kosh
Kalgidhar Chamatkar I and II
Sikh Bhagat Mala
Sodhi Chamatkar
Sakhi Parman
Mahabharat
Ramayan
Bhagvant Gita
Shiv Puran
Gharar Puran
Kaal Puran
Vishnu Puran
Vedas
Upanishads
Digpal Devtay
Bible
Koran
NOTE :
Baba Ji is at present writing a book, which is in two volumes. The second volume explores in depth the life and teachings of the Gurus whilst the first volume touches on and explains such subjects as Un-Shappai, Sunn Samadhi, Saristi Ruchna and Atama, Saristi Ruchna Sarir, Saristi Rachna and Baba Adam, Saristi Rachna and 84 Lakh Joon, Saristi Rachna Shivji, Saristi Rachna Brahama, Saristi Rachna Vishnu, Saristi Rachna 33 Karor Devtay, Atama Paramatama, Dharam Raj and Chittar Gupt, Detay Dia Purria, Devtay Dia Bhaag, Devtay Dia Taal, Devtay Dia Devtania, Panch Sail. Vishnu Dhay 24 Avatar, Brahama Dhay 7 Avatar, Rudhar Dhay 2 Avatar. Paramatama and Vismadh, Paramatama and Kudrat/Nature, Paramatama and the 4 Yugh. Dulla Dhayi Swasbeeraj, Akal Purkh and the battle with the Demons, Akal and Maha Kaal.
Baba Ji's father Santa Singh Ji, was one of six brothers:
Kartar Singh Ji - Tabla player
Shangara Singh Ji - Tabla player
Piara Singh Ji - Tabla player
Khjaan Singh Ji - Chimta player
Jagtar Singh J - Mandolin player
Santa Singh Ji - Vocals and tabla
Baba Ji's bother Manjit Singh was not only a mandolin player but an accomplished tabla ustad also and he started teaching Baba Ji. In 1961 at the age of 15 Baba Ji went to Baba Bakaley and stayed with Sant Bishan Singh Ji from whom they took Amrit. Baba Ji did sewa of Sant Bishan Singh Ji for some time and while their time at the dera Baba Ji took on the saroop of Nihang Singh bana (uniform), that is to say Baba Ji became a Nihang Singh at the gurdwara of Pulpukhta an asthaan of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.
One early morning Baba Ji went to the bain, a type of river that was nearby and they met a group of Nihang Singhs. Baba Ji did nimaskar and asked the Singhs where they resided, they pointed over to the back of the gurdwara and said they lived over there. As Baba Ji entered the cold waters of the river the leaves from the nearby bushes started to rustle and there was a swirl of wind almost like a mini whirlwind and all the Nihang Singh’s in the water disappeared into it and into the water. It all happened so quickly and there was not much light at that time in the morning to see exactly what happened, Baba Ji was taken aback and couldn’t quite understand what had happened, who were they? Where had they come from? Where had they gone? Baba Ji had not recognised any of the Singhs and did not know who they were. After Baba Ji had finished their nitname they did morning adraas and made degh to take to the Singhs. Baba Ji went to the back of the gurdwara trying to find the Singhs but no one was there. Baba Ji asked the gurdwara giani about the Singhs but he was a little abrasive and spoke harshly, "there a no Singhs living here except me," he said. It was then that it dawned on Baba Ji that they were Shahid Singhs that he had had darshan of that morning. When Baba Ji later met his fellow nihangs they were very pleased that Baba Ji had had darshan of Shahid Singhs, "Bhajangi, you are very blessed" they said "you have had darshan of shahid Singhs".
Baba Ji's brother, Bhai Manjit Singh Ji playing mandolin.
Baba Ji would go with the mahapursh that came to stay with the nihang Singh dera on kirtan tours. Here Baba Ji met Sant Surjit Singh who was always in nihang singh bana. Here Baba Ji also met Piara Singh, Hakam Singh, Sohan Singh, Deep Singh, Karnail Singh, Pritam Singh Gujarpuria, Amrik Singh, Kharag Sing and Sant Pritam Singh Buddha Dallwale. Singhs from the Buddha Dall would come to stay at the dera. Baba Ji learned to recite Guru Granth Sahib Ji bani and took santhia of Dasam Granth Ji from Bhai Sohan Singh and others.
The code of conduct and regime or maryadha was very strict when living in the nihang derey. All singhs had to rise early in the morning, bathe and do two and a half hours of jaap on top of the normal daily nitname. Even at lunch time when the langar was set out so that the local population could attend and partake in langar everyone was expected to recite two and a half hours of waheguru jaap before food was served. On regular occasions many locals and passing truck drivers would get up and walk off mid-jaap, fed up and hungry. Baba Ji also stayed at the kar-sewa gurdwara and Jorra Sahib for a while doing sewa of kirtan and tabla before they returned to Sumana Mandi.
After a while living amongst the nihangs Baba Ji took his leave from Sant Ji and came back to village Ibrahiemwal. Baba Ji went to Patiala to continue with their studies and passed their 'Giani' by studying privately. Baba Ji continued learning tabla to degree level while also learning all the intricacies of Hundistani sangeet. Baba Ji then went on to Bhavey and Bhaoli Sahib under the instruction of Sant Jeevan Singh Ji, Sant Dalip Singh Ji Kar sewa walley and learned much from them.
Baba Ji had sangat of 96 Karori Sant Chett Singh Ji pooran bhramgiani and listened to their bachan discourse when the dhall would come to Sumana Mandi and did sewa. Sant Ji were also very strict on maryadha and did not tolerate any laxness from any of the nihang Singhs. Most of the nihangs were bibaki singhs, in fact Baba Ji took bibake for two years , that is to say that they did not eat anything prepared by outsiders and everything was prepared in iron or sarabh loh bowls and served in iron utensils and they only drank water from the river. They would do ardaas and eat the food and anyone passing by could sit down and have langar also. Some prominent singhs at the time who taught santhia of Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth were Mahant Karnail Singh, Puran Singh, Pritam Singh, Surjit Singh and Piara Singh. Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwalle would also drop by and do katha at the gurdwara and Baba Ji would do sewa of Sant Ji and listen to their katha and bachan. Baba Ji was very happy here; these were carefree days and they remember these times with fond memories. At the time Baba Ji was residing at Samana Mandi Gurdwara.
The first time Baba Ji had darshan of sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji they were with a group of Nihang Singh's, Baba Ji had to stay the night at the darbar sahib of the gurdwara dedicated to sixth Guru at Pulpukhta. The main gurdwara building was surrounded by a marbled floor with steps leading down to an open compound where the sangat would sit and enjoy the sun. As night fell a few Nihang Singhs and Baba Ji opened up their manjies (small foldable bed frames with a woven base) on top of the steps on the marbled flooring in front of the entrance to the Gurdwara and settled down for sleep. After falling asleep Baba Ji awoke to find that the other Nihang Singh’s had moved their manjies down the steps and far off into the surrounding area. Whether they had been scared off or had seen something that made them move is not known. Looking around Baba Ji was quite tired so fell asleep again. As the night progressed Baba Ji heard a sound, as if someone was talking to them, Baba Ji awoke with a start, looked around saw no one and lay down again and closed their eyes. Again, Baba Ji heard a voice in his ear, they sat up and looked around, again there was on one. A little puzzled Baba Ji lay down again. It was at this point that Baba Ji felt someone take hold of their wrist and distinctly heard someone say into their ear “Puttar (son), this is our asthaan, move your manji away from here.” Baba Ji opened his eyes and saw an arm clad in a fine blue robe and realised instinctively that it was Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Baba Ji quickly sat up and the parkaash disappeared. They picked up the manji and quickly descended the stairs and moved far off into the compound. Baba Ji was very moved by this experience and for six months Baba Ji went into intense bairaag, not speaking or communicating with anyone, such was the intensity of parkash of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.
Baba Ji's wedding took place in Amritsar in 1969 and lived at Ibrahiemwal village but soon Gianai Gian Singh Ji Shotti Mianiwale took Baba Ji with them on tour doing sikhi parchar and kirtan all over northern India, this tour lasted three years (more of this later). Baba Ji did sewa and kirtan as well as tabla duties. On this tour Baba Ji learned a lot of sangeet vidia and from Giani Gian Singh learnt the whole of Amrit Kirtan and learnt all the shabads by heart, again these were vary joyous times learning gurbani, doing kirtan and sewa and spreading the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the masses, Baba Ji enjoyed this very much.
Of the many Sant and mahapurkhs Baba Ji met and did sangat of here are but a few :
Sant Shangara Singh.
Sant Baba Majha Singh Hoti-Mardanwale.
Nihang Baba Surjit Singh
Baba Chet Singh Buddha Dhall – stayed with them and took BIBAKE for 2 years.
Baba Gurmukh Singh, Baba Dalip Singh and Baba Jeevan Singh at Baolli Sahib.
Sant Harnaam Singh Ramkerray-walle
Sant Prem Singh Ji, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji Gurdwara.
Sant Joginder Singh Puppaywalle Nihang.
Nirmal Kuttia Johal Bolena-walle
Nirmaley Sant from Nepal
Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhindrawalle
Sant Kartar Singh Bhindrawalle
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalle, who Baba Ji was close to right up to June 1984. Baba Ji was in Amritsar at that fateful time with his young family and was asked by Sant Jarnail Singh Ji to leave before the situation worsened.
1954 Baba Ji met Bhai Randhir Singh Ji of AKJ in Ludiahna and accompanied them on tabla.
1955 A Sant conference was held in Ludiahna and was attended by Baba Ji.
1959 Morcha or agitation was taking place of Punjabi Suba in Kapurthala and was attended by minister Atama Singh
Maalmukhi. Baba Ji was part of the morcha and went on demonstrations as part of the Punjabi suba morcha.
1960 Baba Ji did darshan of Sant Ishar Singh Ji Rarawalle when they came to Jalundhar and Baba Ji stayed with them for a
month.
1960 - 1965 Baba Ji was with Sant Shangara Singh Ji on numerous kirtan parchar tours
1965 - 1967 There was a Buddha Dall Nihang Singh dera at Samana Mandi under the auspicies of Sant Surjit Singh Ji and Baba Ji stayed here for some time in nihang-singh bana/robes. They took many tours of parchar and kirtan and once
journeyed to Sabo-Ki-Talwandi and visited the Lakhi Jungle also organised a large smagam that was attended by
many nihang jathas. This was presided over by Sant Chett Singh Ji Bhramgiani, Baba Ji did kirtan here. From
bachan/order from Sant Surjit Singh Ji, Baba Ji was given the Nishan Sahib sewa at Samana Mandi which was a great honor.
At Samana Mandi gurdwara Baba Ji met many sant mahapursh including Mukhi Singh Ji, Kharag Singh Ji, Pritam Singh Ji, Prem Singh, Hukam Singh Ji, Sohan Singh Ji, Aujagger Singh Ji, Deep Singh Ji, Karnail Singh Ji and Lutha Singh Lathhawale. There were many kirtanias that came to the dera including Amrik Singh Ajeamgoalwale, Aloke Singh Kavi, Anok Singh Zakhmi and nihang Minder Singh. Daily routine was to get up at 1:30 am and after bathing full nitname and then all assembled in the darbar Sahib for Asa-di-vaar and kirtan. After kirtan all would go to the langar hall for breakfast and then all the singhs would start their allotted daily sewa, again Baba Ji really enjoyed this time and remembers with warm fond memories. After some time returned back to Ibrahiemwale.
Nihang Sant Baba Chett Singh Ji. Sant Bishan Singh Ji
1967 - 1969 With Sant Shangara Singh Ji
1969 - 1970 One year with Inder Singh Musaffer and Beant Singh Kanjliwale stayed with them performed kirtan with
them with Baba Ji on tabla drums. Baba Ji learnt much tabla technique from Beant Singh.
1969 Baba Ji wed Mata Charan Kaur Ji in Amritsar. On the day of the wedding Baba Ji still completed all their sewa and
kirtan duties because Guru Ji always comes first.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed Baba Ji and Mata Charan Kaur Ji with five children:
Avtar Singh, educated in Jalundhar
Balprit Singh, educated in Jalundhar
Dalbir Kaur, educated in Jalundhar
Kultar Singh, educated in London
Kulbir Kaur, educated in London
1963 Stayed with Sant Bishan Singh Ji at Baba Bakaley where Baba Ji was initiated into the Khalsa. Baba Ji resided at sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's gurdwara at Pulpukhta which was a nihang singh dera. Also here was Sant Shangara Singh Ji. Baba Ji became well known in the area and sangat would come from far and wide to listen to the kirtan. Baba Ji did sewa at the gurdwara and got to know the local sangat who were very pleased and happy with Baba Ji's tenure at the gurdwara. With Sant Shangara Singh Ji Baba Ji visited the Bait area, Doaba area and Majha area where they pleased the sangats with kirtan and parchar. Also accompanied Raghbir Singh Dulleywale and stayed with them for a while and learnt more kirtan techniques. Baba Ji was much sought after as a tabla player, Giani Darshan Singh Sohal wanted Baba Jis tabla skills as did Giani Gian Singh who wanted them to stay with him and Santa Singh Chamak.
1963 - 1964 Went to Lucknow to Kolkota to Kanchrapara.
1963 Pulpukhta to Wadhi Miani Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji gurdwara.
1964 - 1969 Stayed with Giani Gian Singh ji and then got sewa-mukhat (permission to end the
sewa) and returned back to Ibrahiemwal.
1970 Baba Ji’s father passed away. Went to gurdwara Dhaan Samanda in Jalundhar and started sewa here including lots
of kirtan and raag practice/riaz making new melodies and tunes for shabads and leaning Gurbani all the time.
Bhai Kultar Singh Ji accompanying Baba Ji on tabla.
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